How to Prevent Common Winter Plumbing Problems

This time of year comes with so much fun – adorable trick-or-treaters, family together around Thanksgiving meals, and the magic of the holidays. But with the wonderful comes the terrible. The winter weather and bitter temperatures can cause a whole mess of plumbing problems. McKinley Heating Service Experts is here with a few preventative measures to help you decrease your chance of encountering these common winter plumbing problems. 

Frozen Pipes 

Your pipes becoming frozen is a common plumbing problem for Edmonton. This commonly takes place when high water pressure from the main water pipe combines with freezing temperatures. To help keep this plumbing problem from happening to you, leave a faucet slightly open to make sure the water can continuously flow through. If you do realize you have a frozen pipe, shut off the main water supply to prevent the pipe from breaking. Try defrosting the frozen area of the pipe with heated water and if that doesn’t work, give McKinley Heating Service Experts a call and we’ll send one of our professional plumbers out to examine the problem. 

Broken Water Line 

An opening or break in your water line could cause significant damage to your home. Water pipe leaks or breaks are typically because of a frozen garden hose. If you forget to disconnect your hose from your water spout following a freeze, the ice inside can cause pressure to build up in your home’s water lines and cause a leak or a break. To avert this problem, make sure your garden hoses are drained and disconnected before the freezing temperatures arrive. 

Failing Hot Water Systems 

If your hot water heater is not operating as well as expected, check the temperature and make sure it is set high enough. If you own a gas water heater, ensure the pilot light is still lit. If everything looks right, call McKinley Heating Service Experts so we can send out a professional plumber to figure out what’s going on. To prevent this issue altogether, ensure you are having your hot water heater serviced annually and it’s best if you service it well before cooler temperatures arrive. Call 780-800-7092 or schedule online to ensure you don’t get left with cold water this winter.